Transitioning to Iowa State

Orientation

After accepting their admission to Iowa State University your students' next step will be to attend orientation. At orientation your student will register for their first semester classes and become more acquainted with the Iowa State campus and resources. Both you and your student will also attend sessions to increase your knowledge of Iowa State, including important policies and procedures.

Destination Iowa State

Your students' journey to becoming an Iowa State student will be complete once they attend Destination Iowa State. Beginning Thursday evening before classes start and running through Saturday, your student will make new friends, attend sessions to increase their success at Iowa State, and have a chance to ask any last minute questions they might have before beginning classes on Monday.

Useful Tips for Families

Your relationship with your student is likely to change in the coming months and years. Here are our tips on how to make the transition smoother for your student...and you!

Visit

Although students are often reluctant to admit it, they do like planned visits which include dinner out or shopping. However, visits should not be surprises.

Write (even if they don't write back)

Many students are eager to experience away-from-home independence during the first few weeks of school. However, they still want to maintain family ties and the security they bring. They will check the mailbox or their in-box often.

Speak with others

Talk to others who have gone through a similar college student transition. Often other families with college students understand your feelings, and you will be able to share your experiences.

Trust your student

Make your love and respect known. Many of their decisions may be difficult, but your support and trust will offer the encouragement they need in making good, solid decisions on their own. Let them know you trust them, and mean it!

Change is coming

Change is inevitable, natural, and occasionally challenging. Keep in mind that your student will basically be the same person who went way to school. Maturity does not happen overnight. Please be very patient!

NOTE: Some of these suggestions were gathered from a survey by the Iowa State University Parents' Association. Others were taken from a book by Iowa State alumni Beverly Parks Faaborg (the mom) and Tony Faaborg (the son), You Can Survive College - We Did! A Guide for Kids and Their Parents.

Iowa State Student Counseling Service

The Student Counseling Service (SCS) provides prevention, intervention, information, and referral services to Iowa State students. Most professional services of the SCS are provided by the university at no charge to the student.


Send a Surprise!

Help brighten your students' day and let them know you're thinking of them by sending them a Cy's Surprises Care Package, a service of ISU Dining.

Iowa State University Parents' Association

The Parents' Association serves as a link between you as parents and the university. Its mission is to serve and inform parents and to enhance the quality of student life at Iowa State.